Betalains are unique nitrogen-containing pigments found exclusively in families of the Caryophyllales order and some higher order fungi, where they replace anthocyanin pigments. Betalains, consisting of betacyanins and betaxanthins are generally used as color additives in food. This review discusses on the favorable effects of acute and chronic consumption of betalains, whose edible sources consist primarily of red beetroots (Beta vulgaris) and prickly pears (fruit of the Opuntia genus of cacti). Moreover, it encompasses in vivo and in vitro studies about the bioavailability and bioaccessibility of betanin and indicaxanthin. It seems that treatment with betalains and betalain-rich diets is not only nontoxic but could also prove to be a promising alternative to supplement therapies in oxidative stress-, inflammation-, and dyslipidemia-related diseases such as stenosis of the arteries, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and cancer, among others. Due to its toxicological safety, accessibility, low price, biodegradability, and potentially advantageous biological effects on health, the incorporation of betalains in food manufacturing and related industries could pave the way to overcome current concerns over the health risks of artificial colors. Nevertheless, further studies using pure betalains are required to gain a deeper understanding of their precise biological functions.

Walnut is one of the medicinal plants used in traditional Iranian medicine as a treatment for diabetes, but little scientific documentation supports its antidiabetic action. This study is designed to evaluate the antidiabetic effect of ethanolic walnut leaf extract. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: nondiabetic rats, alloxan-induced diabetic rats with no treatment, alloxan-induced diabetic rats treated with ethanolic extracts of Juglans regia (200 mg/kg), and alloxan-induced diabetic rats treated with glibenclamide (0.6 mg/kg). Fasting blood sugar decreased meaningfully in diabetic rats treated with J. regia and diabetic rats treated with glibenclamide. Insulin level increased and glycosylated hemoglobin decreased significantly in diabetic groups receiving either glibenclamide or J. regia compared with the diabetic group with no treatment. The histological study revealed that the size of islets of Langerhans enlarged consequentially as compared with diabetic rats with no treatment. Effects of administering glibenclamide or extract of J. regia on all parameters discussed above showed no difference, and both tended to bring the values to near normal. Our data show the ethanolic extract from leaves of J. regia has a dramatic antidiabetic effect on diabetes-induced rats.

After consumption of betalain-rich supplements of red beetroot and betacyanins-rich supplements of Opuntia stricta, the betanin appears in urine and plasma to improve the lipid profile, blood pressure, homocysteine and glucose levels of the patients.

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